Shocking footage shows San Jose’s mayor’s security guard getting into a scuffle on the sidewalk with a foul-mouthed stranger who interrupted a television interview with the California city leader on Tuesday afternoon.
During a violent scuffle caught on camera in downtown San Jose, a security guard shot a man in the side of the head before fighting back and pushing him away.
Mayor Matt Mahan said: Interview with Kron That’s when a passerby, identified by police as 35-year-old Wesley Pollard, began cursing a few feet away.
“Sorry, we’re in the middle of an interview,” Mahan said, but to no avail.
The mayor’s security guard, who works for the San Jose Police Department, began talking to the man, who claimed to work nearby.
“I’m talking on the phone. Is there a problem?” Mr. Pollard said in a profanity-laced rant.
“I’m going to punch you right now,” Pollard also appeared to say off camera. “I’ll punch you.”
A few seconds later, the man slapped the security guard in the head, KRON footage shows.
An unidentified plainclothes officer then removed Pollard from view of the camera, but the two reappeared shortly after.
The security guard continued to charge as Pollard grabbed the officer’s head, according to the video.
At one point, the guard slipped, but quickly recovered during the struggle.
The footage then shows the two circling each other for a while as the mayor and others look on, before starting a physical fight again.
The two eventually clung to each other as at least several people appeared to be calling for help.
“Let me go,” Pollard repeatedly said, but when the camera cut out, several other people jumped in to stop the mob.
After the battle, the guard was taken to a hospital complaining of head and neck pain and remained overnight, KRON reported.
Authorities arrested Pollard and charged him with felony assault on a police officer. He remained in custody as of Wednesday, but The station reported.
“Mayor Matt Mahan is deeply grateful to the security personnel and the entire San Jose Police Department,” the mayor’s office said in a statement, according to the television station.
“The actions of our officers tonight were heroic and a testament to the de-escalation training that makes our officers competent, compassionate, and stewards of the trust of our communities.”
